Willoughby, Ohio

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View of Willoughby City Hall

Willoughby is a city in Lake County, Ohio, United States. The population was 22,621 at the 2000 census. Willoughby is served by a branch of the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 External links

[edit] History

View north down Erie Street in downtown Willoughby

Willoughby's first permanent settler was David Abbott in 1798, pre-dating Ohio's bid for statehood by five years. Abbott and his family had close relations to the local tribe of Erie Indians along the banks of the river the Indians called the "Sha-ga-rin" or Clear Water. This river was later called the Chagrin River.

In 1835, the village was permanently named "Willoughby" in honor of Dr. Westel Willoughby, a public health official and founder of the Medical College. Over time, Willoughby would send citizens into every major U.S. military conflict. Several memorials and historical relics are displayed in Wes Point Park, the center of Historic Downtown Willoughby, to honor those that have served.

Two public high schools are located in Willoughby: Willoughby South High School and Willoughby-Eastlake Technical Center, both of which are a part of the Willoughby-Eastlake School District. Students in the ninth through twelfth grades are enrolled at Willoughby South High School, which opened its doors at its present location in 1959. Previously, Willoughby South High School and current rival Eastlake North High were housed in the same building called Union High, but following the division, the then-abandoned Union High became the location of Willoughby Junior High School until 1972. It then housed the Willoughby-Eastlake Technical Center, located in Historic Downtown Willoughby.

[edit] Geography

Willoughby is located at 41°39′1″N, 81°24′31″W (41.650197, -81.408515)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.5 km² (10.2 mi²). 26.3 km² (10.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.59%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 22,621 people, 10,265 households, and 5,892 families residing in the city. The population density was 858.8/km² (2,225.3/mi²). There were 10,700 housing units at an average density of 406.2/km² (1,052.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.47% White, 1.14% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.

There were 10,265 households out of which 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.6% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,387, and the median income for a family was $53,677. Males had a median income of $38,711 versus $30,553 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,653. About 4.3% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.